Racking up credit card debt is a slippery slope. While there are a lot of conventional solutions to handling large amounts of debt, it’s important not to rule out other methods. Oftentimes, by exploring new options, you can find a better solution to your credit card debt dilemma. Show
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Can you pay off a credit card with another credit card? There are, however, two main strategies you can use to pay off a credit card that don’t involve paying more than your minimum required monthly payment. Both balance transfers and cash advances can be two quick ways to try and reduce your outstanding debt on an existing credit card. What is a balance transfer? Pros of balance transfersInterest-free introductory periodsMany card issuing companies will offer 12 to 18 month interest-free introductory periods to try and entice you to transfer your balance. This can be a great tool if you’re looking to save money. Especially if you’re trying to pay down a high credit card balance, starting with an interest-free period can allow you to make payments on the balance without accruing any additional fees and interest. Keep in mind that this tool is used to try and entice you to transfer your balance to a new company. Use it as a way to save money, not just as a financial cushion. They can save you moneyIf you can find the right deal, transferring your balance could save you a lot of money in the long run. Some credit issuers may offer you a better APR rate compared to what’s being applied to your current balance. Lower interest rates mean you can save money as you begin to pay off your balance. This, coupled with interest-free introductory periods, makes a balance transfer a potentially useful option when looking to address high amounts of credit card debt. Better rewards programsEven if the interest rates are roughly similar, and you’re not looking to take advantage of paying down your balance during an interest-free introductory period, some credit cards may just have better perks and rewards programs you want to take advantage of. Look for cash back options, frequent flier packages and other points-based rewards systems. These can sometimes make all the difference when getting the most out of your credit card and credit issuing company. Cons of balance transfersTransfer feesThere’s usually a fee associated with transferring your balance. Make sure you do your research so you can determine if the fee is worth you moving to another credit card. Oftentimes, it could be negligible compared to what you could save during the interest-free period. You could be declinedIf you have a questionable credit history and a low credit score, the credit issuing company may decline your balance transfer. Depending on your individual situation, you’ll need a credit score of at least 670 in order to initiate a balance transfer. What is a cash advance? Cash advances can be seen as a riskier way to pay off another credit card compared to balance transfers. As with researching balance transfers, do the math before you commit to a cash advance with your credit issuer. It may not be worth it to take out cash on a 24% interest rate in order to pay off another credit card. It’s also important, however, to be aware of all the pros and cons Pro of cash advancesIt’s a fast optionA cash advance will technically give you the ability to pay off another credit card, which could have a very high interest rate. Depending on your situation, you would be able to get the cash you need to pay down this card as quickly as possible. This would help you save on interest on that particular credit card in the long run. Cons of cash advancesIt’s expensiveThe high interest rate associated with cash advances makes it a difficult tool to resort to when trying to pay off other credit cards. The advantage of a cash advance is you can get it immediately, but that comes at a price. An interest rate 9% above the average APR for most credit cards can build a significant balance over time. There may be additional feesCompanies often charge a flat rate or a percentage fee in addition to the interest rate on cash advances. It’s important to read the fine print before deciding to use a cash advance. It may not solve your problemIt’s important to do the math before initiating a cash advance to pay off another credit card. At 24% interest, taking a cash advance against your line of credit is one of the most expensive forms of debt available. It shouldn’t be used casually, and there’s more likelihood of ending up in even more financial trouble compared to pursuing a balance transfer. As an alternative, you may wish to consider a debt relief company. Bottom line What's the best way to pay your credit card bills?While there are a few options, paying your credit card bills with cash is the only way to avoid extra fees and interest. If that's not a possibility, look into using a cash advance or balance transfer to help you get your costs under control. Can I use a credit card to pay another credit card?No, you cannot use a credit card to pay other credit card bills. However, credit cards often have options like cash advance or balance transfer that give you access to "cash" funds. If you are short on money to pay your bills, you can use these funds to pay off your balance. Of course, this will end up costing you in fees and interest, so be careful. Is it worth it to get a balance transfer?A balance transfer can help you get control over your finances, but only when you are committed to improving your credit situation. There are fees and interest associated with balance transfers, so make sure that those extra costs will be worth it for you. |